On October 1, 2024, farmers, advocates, and allies from across the region gathered in Rocky Mount, NC, for the first Farmers of Color Network Gathering. This year’s event was an inspiring day of knowledge-sharing, community building, and celebration of the rich contributions that farmers of color bring to agriculture and food systems in the Southeast.
Key Highlights from the Gathering:
Panel Discussions on Farming as a Family FOCN member Linette Hewlin of 4 Ever Vista Farms and FOCN Coordinator Bianca Anthony had a delightful conversation about the joys and challenges of farming as a family. The attendees were able to glean wisdom and anecdotal information from the exchange.
Niche Vegetables FOCN member Tou Lee of Lee’s One Fortune Farm, a small family owned farm located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains led an insightful session about the impact of growing niche produce, specifically Asian varieties. The Lee family is part of a community of Hmong farmers. Attendees learned how to expand their customer base by growing culturally relevant crops.
Stewards of the Land RAFI’s Farmer Outreach Manager Carolina Alzate Gouzy, Ph.D led a film screening and discussion centered around the 2022 film, “Serán las dueñas de la tierra (Stewards of the Land)” directed by Juanma Pagán Teitelbaum. The film documents the experiences of three land cultivators in Puerto Rico. The conversation afterwards was enlightening and inspiring to all the farmers in the session.
Social Media FOCN Communications Coordinator Hope Ostane-Baucom led an interactive breakout session talking to farmers about telling their farm’s story using social media. The group shared ideas, workshopped content creation, and connected with one another by sharing their social media handles. They also had the opportunity to film a short video introducing their farm operation for future use on social media.
Keynote Address Duron Chavis of The Happily Natural Day is an urban farmer, educator and changemaker who spoke on Connecting Urban and Rural Farmers as Community Liberation Strategy. Audience members were moved by his passion for the interconnectedness of urban and rural farming as a direct pathway to liberation. He emphasized the vital role that agriculture plays in shaping and sustaining cultures around the world.
As the day came to a close, attendees left with a wealth of knowledge and a stronger sense of community. The gathering reinforced the importance of coming together to support farmers of color and their ongoing work to build sustainable, equitable food systems.
Thank you to everyone who made this event possible, and we look forward to seeing you at future gatherings!